Re: New windows installer

[T.J. Yang]

Thanks for the reply, If I am not clear enough please ask again.


> From: Wim Oudshoorn <address@hidden>
> To: "T.J. Yang" <address@hidden>
> CC: address@hidden
> Subject: Re: New windows installer
> Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 16:31:00 +0100
>
> On Fri, Nov 05, 2004 at 08:02:28AM -0600, T.J. Yang wrote:
> > From: Wim Oudshoorn <address@hidden>
> >
> > >Yes we could do this, but why?
> >
> > 1. The WiX packaging process is described in XML language
> >    as hellow.wxs text file.
> >    Easier to maintain and can be scripted and automated
> >    to do non-gui interactive build.
>
> XML I don't care.  And I don't know what you mean
> with scripted and automated.

I do care about XML so I swtiched from MakeMSI,NSIS and
to WiX.

By "scripted and automated", I mean can I recompile and
repacakge 300 software package by shell script
or makefile. Thanks for pointing out Inno has command
line tool to make the package also.


> You can already run the installer from the commandline
> without asking any annoying questions.
>
> > 2. WiX is MS opensource project.
> >    Personally I like to invest my efforts on a software
> >    that has good longevity because of its open-source nature.
>
> That is nice.  But INO is as far as I know also open source.
> See http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php
>
> > I also like to admit I don't know much about Windows Software Packaging.
>
> Me neither, Tom Koelman is the person who wrote the Windows installer
> and maintains it.  I just tweak it once in a while and sometimes
> make the actual installer.
> >
> > I am doing a personal project to package GNUstep using XML language
> > base Cross-Platform Package Management tool call
> > TWW(http://www.thewrittenword.com).
>
> But it does not seem to support Windows.

It will happen either from TWW or less likely me.

> > This will help me to allow GNUstep to be used in my office environment.
> > Because TWW CPAM can generate different native packages(rpm,depot,pkgadd
> > etc.)
> > from one package source.
>
> I don't understand, you want to use the TWW installer to deploy
> in your office environment, but TWW is not supported for windows
> anyway, so what does WiX buy you (WiX != TWW and Ino != TWW).
WiX != TWW
    True, But TWW can integreated with WiX's candle,light etc tool
     set to create package.

Ino != TWW
    True, TWW can integreate with Inno if there is command line
    interface for creating package.

TWW is not an installer. It is a tool, system to deal with all kind
of installers(or PMS) mainly in Unix camp.

I am not expressing my clearly here, I am preparing the GNUstep package
using TWW for the UNIX machines(RH Linux,HP,Soalris).

I used one package source to generate native package format
for linux,hp and solaris and I like to be able to generate a GNUstep
msi pacakge from same package source. WiX is the best and easy
tool that can make this happen, IMHO.


> > Once TWW support Win32 platform(or we can do it ourselves),
> > we can generate and release GNUstep from one singe package source.
>
> Yes but I am not the person to make TWW work on Windows.
> And until it is I see no incentive to do anything about the current 
> situation.
> I would rather put time in makeing the Gui installer work.

Sure, understand your position. Thanks for the time you put in
to improve  the GUI installer for GNUstep.

> > PS: When you release GNUstep win32 installer, can you release the 
> package
> > source also ? This way your effort can be reused. I can learn and 
> understand
> > how you build the package.
>
> Yes, I can send the source of the installer to you.  But not before
> next week.  Although I doublt if it is really inspirational.
> Roughly the installer does the following:
>
> 1 - Put the whole directory hierarchy with unpacked sources
>     into place
> 2 - Runs a script that follows the MinGW Readme
> 3 - Runs a sanity check at the end.

It is easy when you know it ;). Please send  me package source
When you got a chance. I installed the Inno too, I will try
to port it to WiX's .wxs format once I got your package source.

Regards

tj
> Wim Oudshoorn.

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